Ethernet Network Components

This list represents just some of the parts SFElectronics can provide to you. If you require specific parts, please do not hesitate to contact us

Ethernet Switch

for flat mounting onto top-hat mounting rail in control cabinets
8 port Ethernet switct

Ethernet interface RJ45

number of ports: 3x; 4x; 5x 10/100base-TX

Ethernet cabling

RJ45 industrial outlet for IP 65/IP 67

8P8C is short for "eight positions, eight conductors", and so an 8P8C modular connector (plug or jack) is a modular connector with eight positions, all containing conductors.

The 8P8C modular plugs and jacks look very similar to the plugs and jacks used for FCC's registered jack RJ45 variants, although the true RJ45 is not really compatible with 8P8C modular connectors. It neither uses all eight conductors (but only two of them for wires plus two for shorting a programming resistor) nor does it fit into 8P8C because the true RJ45 is "keyed".

Despite this, outside of the U.S. telecommunications industry, 8P8C modular connectors are nearly always called "RJ45" — which leads to a lot of confusion when telecommunication professionals meet with network installers. See below for a discussion of telecom's/FCC's true RJ45 and the confusion that is created by the use of the term "RJ45" for 8P8C modular connectors popularly used in computer networking.